Connecting device for fixing a pull-out guide to a side grate

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a connecting device for fixing a pull-out guide ( 5 ) to a side grate ( 1 ), in particular for baking ovens, comprising a holder ( 10 ), which has at least one hook ( 11 ) for engaging with a horizontal brace ( 3 ) of the side grate ( 1 ), and a spring element ( 12, 12″, 12″′, 12″″ ), by means of which the holder ( 10 ) can be latched to the side grate ( 1 ), wherein the spring element ( 12, 12′, 12″′, 12″″ ) is designed as a separate component and has a flexible spring leg ( 15 ) for latching the holder ( 10 ).

The present invention relates to a connecting device for fixing apull-out guide to a side grate, especially for baking ovens, comprisinga holder which has at least one hook for engaging in a horizontal braceof the side grate and a spring element by means of which the holder canbe latched onto the side grate.

DE 20 2005 020 458 discloses a quick-fixing element for fixing a guiderail to a brace of a grate-like side part, wherein the quick-fixingelement comprises a clamp-like holding section and can be slid onto thebrace in the horizontal direction. An integrally arranged leaf spring isprovided for fixing the quick-fixing element. Although the latching ofthe quick-fixing element leads to simple mounting, there is still theproblem that integrally arranged leaf springs will often operate in acritical tension range in stable configuration. A high amount of springpower is necessary as a result of the small spring excursion in order tosecurely latch the quick-fixing element.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide aconnecting device for fixing a pull-out guide to a side grate which iseasy to mount and in which a high load on the material of the springelement can be avoided.

This object is achieved by a connecting device with the features ofclaim 1.

In accordance with the invention, the spring element of the connectingdevice is arranged as a separate component, i.e. it is thereforeseparated from the holder, and comprises a flexible spring leg forlatching the holder. The flexible spring leg can have a larger springexcursion, so that lower forces will be necessary for latching theholder to the brace. Moreover, the spring element can be provided with aflexible configuration in one direction in which the holder has highstiffness, so that an optimized arrangement for secure fixing to thebrace is enabled.

Preferably, the spring element is fixed to the holder in the latchedposition. The spring element can be fixed in a clamping manner to theholder, but fixing via a fastening means is also possible.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the holder isarranged as an angle which forms the hook on one side and a support forthe pull-out guide on a bent-off section. The pull-out guide can befixed in a simple manner to the bent-off section in this way. A recesscan be formed in the bent-off section for stable fixing in thehorizontal direction, in which recess a vertical pillar of the sidegrate can be inserted. As a result, the horizontal forces which occurduring the displacement of the pull-out guide are transmitted directlyonto the side grate.

A spring element can be arranged as a leaf spring for compactconfiguration. The flexible spring leg can be provided with a length ofat least 2 cm from low spring forces.

The spring element is preferably arranged in a substantially L-shapedmanner, with one leg forming the spring leg and the other leg beingsupported on the bent-off section of the holder. This provides anespecially flat configuration of the spring element, which cansubstantially be made of a bent sheet metal, wherein a bent limit stopcan additionally be provided on the spring leg for limiting the springexcursion of the spring leg.

The connecting device preferably comprises a second holder which can bemounted on the opposite end of the pull-out guide for example andcomprises a hook for engagement in a horizontal brace of the side grate.The second holder comprises a strip-like section for secure fixing tothe side grate, on which a groove is formed for inserting a verticalpillar of the side grate, so that horizontal forces can be transmittedonto the side grate. A horizontal extension arm can be provided on thesecond holder for stable fixing of the pull-out guide, on which a railof the pull-out guide is fixed, e.g. by inserting the extension arm intothe rail.

In a further embodiment the spring element comprises a spring leg whichis arranged in the sheet metal in an arc-like, especially spiral,manner. A slight deflection transversely to the sheet plane of thespring leg over a very long spring excursion can be achieved incombination with a very compact configuration.

It is the object of this spring arrangement, relating to the base areaof the flatbed spring, to achieve the maximum stretched length relatingto the blank.

The invention will be explained below in closer detail by reference toan embodiment shown in the enclosed drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the connecting device in the mountedstate;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the connecting device of FIG. 1during mounting;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective exploded view of the connecting devicewithout the side grate;

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the first holder and the springelement;

FIGS. 5A to 5C show several views of a further embodiment of a firstholder with a modified spring element;

FIGS. 6A to 6C show several views of a further embodiment of a firstholder with a modified spring element.

FIGS. 7A to 7G show several views of a further embodiment of a firstholder with a modified spring element.

FIG. 8 shows a schematic view of the deformation of the flatbed springof FIG. 7 under action of force, and

FIG. 9 shows an example for a modified flatbed spring blank.

A connecting device is used for fixing a pull-out guide 5 on a sidegrate 1, with the side grate 1 comprising two mutually spaced verticalpillars 2 or posts, on which a plurality of horizontal braces 3 or barsare fixed. Each horizontal brace 3 comprises a bent-off end section 4 onone side which is fixed to the vertical pillar 2. On the opposite side,every horizontal brace 3 is fixed with a linear section at the end sideto a vertical pillar 2.

The side grate 1 is fixed to a side wall of a baking oven and is usedfor guiding foodstuff racks, with a pull-out guide 5 with a stationaryguide rail 6 and a displaceable running rail 7 being fixed at least to apart of the horizontal braces 3. At least one middle rail which extendsthe pull-out distance can be arranged between the guide rail 6 and therunning rail 7.

A first holder 10 is fixed to the front pillar 2, which holder comprisesa hook 11 which is engaged into a bent-off end section 4 of a horizontalbrace 3. In order to secure the hope 11 in the engaged position, aspring element 12 is provided.

The connecting device further comprises a second holder 20 which isfixed to the rear pillar 2 of the side grate 1. The second holder 20comprises a hook 21 which is engaged in a horizontal brace 3.Furthermore, the second holder 20 comprises a strip-like section 22which encloses the vertical pillar 2 in a U-shaped manner.

FIG. 2 shows the connecting device during mounting, with the secondholder 20 already being fixed to the vertical pillar 2 and thehorizontal brace 3, and the first holder 10 is not yet fixed to thebent-off end section 4. The spring element 12 is bent away from the hook11, so that the bent-off end section 4 can be inserted into the hook 11.Subsequently, the spring element 12 will bend back and will secure thefirst holder.

FIG. 3 shows the first holder 10 and the second holder 20 with thepull-out guide 5 that has not yet been arranged thereon. The firstholder 10 is arranged in a substantially angular manner, with the hook11 being arranged on one side and a bent-off section 30 on the otherside, on which the pull-out guide is supported. The pull-out guide 5 canbe fixed with a rail to the bent-off section 30, e.g. by welding. Anangularly protruding stop 18 is arranged adjacent to the hook 11, whichstop is aligned parallel to the bent-off end section 4 and rests on thehorizontal brace 3. As a result, the holder 10 can be secured againstwithdrawal transversely to the pull-out direction.

A horizontally aligned bracket 31 is arranged on the rear side of thebent-off section 30, on which a recess 32 is provided for inserting thepillar 2. As a result, the holder 12 can be secured against displacementin the pull-out direction.

The spring element 12 comprises a flexible spring leg 15, on which alateral projection 13 is arranged in order to close off an opening 19 onthe hook 11. A bent-off stop 14 is further arranged on the spring leg 15in order to limit the movement of the spring leg 15. Furthermore, thestop 14 is used as a handle in dismounting the pull-out guide 5. Thespring element 12 further comprises a bottom section 16 which isarranged on the holder 10 adjacent to the bent-off section 30, whichprevents that the spring element 12 can be moved downwardly. Anextension arm 17 is further integrally attached to the bottom section16.

The second holder 20 comprises a strip-like section 22 in which aU-shaped groove 23 is arranged for accommodating the vertical pillar 2.A laterally protruding hook 21 is arranged on a lateral leg of thestrip-like section 22, which hook comprises an opening 24 for insertingthe horizontal brace 3. Furthermore, a laterally protruding strip 25 isarranged on a leg of the strip-like section 22, on which an angularlyprotruding extension arm 26 is arranged. The extension arm 26 extendsparallel to the longitudinal direction of the pull-out guide 5 and canbe inserted into a receiver on a guide rail 6. The guide rail 6 can befixed by means of suitable fastening means to the extension arm 26.

FIG. 4 shows the holder 10 and the spring element 12 in closer detail.The holder 10 is arranged as an angle and comprises a horizontallybent-off section 30 and a vertical angular section 33. The hook 11 withan opening 19 for inserting the bent-off end section 4 is arranged inthe vertical angular section 33. The holder 10 is made of a bent andpunched sheet metal.

The spring element 12 is produced in a substantially plate-like mannerfrom a sheet metal and has a substantially L-shaped contour. The springleg 12 comprises the bent-off stop 14 and the projection 13 at the endside. The bottom section 16 is arranged on the side facing the bendingaxis with the extension arm 17′ which is arranged with a modifiedconfiguration in this case and which can be glued or welded to thevertical section 33. The spring element 12 is arranged as a leaf spring,wherein a spring element 12 made of a round wire or with any othergeometry can be used instead of the flat plate-like configuration.

Modified spring elements 12″ and 12″′ are provided in FIGS. 5 and 6 inthe previously described holder 10.

A spring element 12″ is provided in FIGS. 5A to 5C, which spring elementcomprises a projection 13 adjacent to a stop 14 for closing the opening19. The spring element 12″ is provided with a substantially strip-likeand flat arrangement and comprises a bottom section 16 which is arrangedadjacent to the bent-off section 30 of the holder 10. A spring leg 17″extends from the bottom section 16 after an arc-shaped recessedtransitional region, which spring leg comprises a section 37 and an end38 after an arc-shaped recessed transitional region. As a result, thespring element 12″ can be tensioned in the manner of a leaf spring, withthe spring element 12″ being comparatively long as a result of the woundsection 37, so that a spring force can be provided in an especiallycompact arrangement. The large resilient length that is achieved by thetraditional regions allows using inexpensive materials of lowerelasticity range.

In the embodiments as shown in FIGS. 6A to 6C, a spring element 12″′ isprovided which comprises a stop 14 and a projection 13 in the region ofthe hook 11, as in the preceding embodiments. The spring element 12″′comprises a spring leg 17″′ which comprises an outer spiral winding 40and an inner spiral winding 41 originating from the bent-off section 30of the holder 10. As a result of the spiral windings 40 and 41, anespecially long spring leg 15 is provided in combination with compactconfiguration, which spring leg can also be used as a lateral supportingsurface. The tip of the inner winding 41 can be welded glued togetherwith the vertical section 33 of the holder 10.

In the embodiment as shown in FIGS. 7A to 7G, a spring element 12″″ isprovided in form of a flatbed spring, which represents a modification ofthe embodiment as shown in FIG. 5. The spring element 12″″ comprises asection 42 for securing the flatbed spring against inadvertent release.The section 42 comprises for this purpose a U-shaped cross-section andengages behind an edge on the hook 11. The spring element 12″″ comprisesa handle 43 in form of a projection for release. For releasing, the usermust deflect the spring element 12″″ in the direction away from the hook11, so that the section 42 comes out of engagement with the hook 11before it can deflect the spring element 12″″ transversely to its mainplane in order to release the connection.

FIG. 8 schematically shows the characteristics of a flatbed spring 44according to FIGS. 5 and 7. The flatbed spring 44 is welded together ata fixing point 49 to the vertical angular section 33 of the holder 10.No deformation in form of bending occurs in this region. Strong bending48 in the direction of the negative Z axis occurs in the diagonal springsection. Strong bending 46 in form of deflection also occurs in thevertical spring section beneath an application of force 45. The forceacts in the Z direction on the spring and produces an equiaxeddeformation. The horizontal leg of the flatbed spring shows only slightbending 47 over its entire length. The direction of the deflection isdetermined by the vertical and diagonal spring sections, and thereforetravels from the positive Z axis to the negative. Virtually nodeformation occurs at the point of force application 45. This is causedby the folded edges by the stop 14 and the section 42 and the resultingstiffness. There is also only weak bending in the areas determined bythe radii. The spring excursion is achieved relevantly by the elongatedstraight spring sections. The bent transitional regions stiffen theflatbed spring and merely have an influence on the direction ofdeflection.

FIG. 9 shows an example for a modified flatbed spring blank 51. Ameandering flatbed spring blank 51 is gained from a plate-likerectangular basic area 50 of the flat material. As a result, a flatbedspring with a large deflection transversely to the material strength isproduced in combination with low input of material. The flatbed springcan further be arranged as in the preceding embodiments.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   1 Side grate-   2 Pillar-   3 Brace-   4 End section-   5 Pull-out guide-   6 Guide rail-   7 Running rail-   10 Holder-   11 Hook-   12 Spring element-   12″ Spring element-   12″′ Spring element-   12″″ Spring element-   13 Projection-   14 Stop-   15 Spring leg-   16 Bottom section-   17 Extension arm-   17′ Extension arm-   17″ Spring leg-   17″′ Spring leg-   18 Stop-   19 Opening-   20 Holder-   21 Hook-   22 Section-   23 Groove-   24 Opening-   25 Strip-   26 Extension arm-   30 Section-   31 Bracket-   32 Recess-   33 Angular section-   37 Section-   38 End-   40 Winding-   41 Winding-   42 Section-   43 Handle-   44 Flatbed spring-   45 Application of force-   46 Strong bending-   47 Light bending-   48 Strong bending-   49 Fixing-   50 Base area-   51 Flatbed spring blank

1. A connecting device for fixing a pull-out guide (5) to a side grate(1), especially for baking ovens, comprising a holder (10) which has atleast one hook (11) for engaging in a horizontal brace (3) of the sidegrate (1) and a spring element (12, 12″, 12″′, 12″″) by means of whichthe holder (10) can be latched onto the side grate (1), characterized inthat the spring element (12, 12″, 12″′, 12″″) is arranged as a separatecomponent and comprises a flexible spring leg (15) for latching theholder (10).
 2. A connecting device according to claim 1, characterizedin that the spring element (12, 12″, 12″′, 12″″) is fixed on the holder(10) in the latched position.
 3. A connecting device according to claim1, characterized in that the holder (10) is arranged as an angle whichforms the hook (11) on one side and a support for the pull-out guide (5)on a bent-off section (30).
 4. A connecting device according to claim 3,characterized in that a recess (32) is arranged on the bent-off section(30), into which a vertical pillar (2) of the side grate (1) can beinserted.
 5. A connecting device according to claim 1, characterized inthat the spring element (12, 12″, 12″′) is arranged as a leaf spring. 6.A connecting device according to claim 1, characterized in that theflexible spring leg (15) has a length of at least 2 cm.
 7. A connectingdevice according to claim 1, characterized in that the spring element(12, 12″, 12″′) is provided with a substantially L-shaped arrangement,with one leg forming the spring leg (15) and the other leg (16) restingon the bent-off section (30) of the holder (10).
 8. A connecting deviceaccording to claim 1, characterized in that a second holder (20) isprovided which comprises a hook (21) for engagement in a horizontalbrace (3) of the side grate (1).
 9. A connecting device according toclaim 8, characterized in that the second holder (20) comprises astrip-like section on which a groove (23) is formed for inserting avertical pillar (2) of the side grate (1).
 10. A connecting deviceaccording to claim 8, characterized in that a horizontal extension arm(26) is provided on the second holder (20), on which a rail (6) of thepull-out guide (5) is fixed.
 11. A connecting device according to claim10, characterized in that the extension arm (26) can be inserted intothe rail (6).
 12. A connecting device according to claim 1,characterized in that the spring element (12″, 12″′) comprises a springleg (17″, 17″′) which is wound in itself, especially in a spiral manner.13. A connecting device according to claim 1, characterized in that thespring element (12″, 12″′, 12″″) comprises a spiral-shaped blank madefrom a flatbed spring.
 14. A connecting device according to claim 1,characterized in that the first holder (10), the second holder (20)and/or the spring element (12, 12″, 12″′, 12″″) is made of a sheetmetal.
 15. A pull-out guide with a connecting device according to claim1.